It's the holiday season, which means it's the season of giving and receiving! And what better way to get to spread holiday cheer than with a new art sketch exchange meme?

Participating is simple:

1. Copy and paste the following text into a comment on this journal, answer the questions, and post!

Name (or nickname):Age:Location:Artistic medium of choice (digital, traditional, etc.):I'm interested in sketching:I'd like to receive a sketch of:Interests/hobbies outside of art:Anything else you'd like to share:

2. Read through comments left from other deviants. You might find someone with the same hobbies as you, someone who enjoys your favorite TV show, or someone who has similar artistic goals. Or, maybe you want something different! Variety is the spice of life.

3. Leave a comment reply to anything that catches your eye and work out the type of art trade/exchange you're interested in.

Bonus: When your art sketch exchange is complete, link to the completed pieces as a comment in this journal. You never know -- your art exchange might earn you a free deviantART Notebook!

Why is sketching important?

"Notebooks and their sketches are an artist's portal to creativity. They're a place to explore ideas, write observations, draw impossible connections, and build entire worlds upon a blank page. You can be yourself within the safety of a sketch, with permission to make any mark, describe any feeling, and truly express yourself in any way your instrument takes you.

In my notebook, I don't have to be perfect; in fact, it's more successful if I'm not. This tool exists as a catalyst to transcribe creative processes so that good ideas aren't lost to the ether. And it's not always about quality. The more ideas jotted down as inspiration strikes, the more fuel you'll have in the future when searching for ideas or while in a creative rut.

Notebooks are my artistic push-ups and pull-ups. Like exercising, it can take months to see a result, but once you have the foundation and the discipline, your creative strength grows every day. For those of you who keep a notebook, none of this is news to you. But for those who do not, I implore you to start up practice and enjoy the adventure that ensues. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish and proud at how quickly your skills grow."

Get involved with sketch Groups!

Scribble-Book understands that scribbles may be unfinished and suck at times, but at least the lines are done with style. Their mission is to give you the chance to spread your scribbles around, get feedback on them and to find new friends.

Doodle-with-Pride states that art is art no matter what. They show art in all forms -- from a simple scibble/doodle to an intricate masterpeice.

As is my new tradition, I'm jumping into this again! I may start answering others at random, too.

Name: JRY (not Jerry)Age: Not too old to practiceLocation: At a computerArtistic medium of choice: pencil, ink, perhaps colorI'm interested in sketching: OCs are fine. I've done fanart, too. Just keep it within reason.I'd like to receive a sketch of: Highly negotiableInterests/hobbies outside of art: reading, more reading, drawing, sculpting, wire-wrapping, deer watching, etc.Anything else you'd like to share: I hope this meme never ends! I like using this chance to try out new styles of drawing.

Interests/hobbies outside of art: Oh gosh... I'm a pianist, guitarist, ukulele...er, etc. I love writing and composing music, I love making video games (So pixel art is a specialty~), aaaand... uhm... hmm... I sew. So.. If you'd like a doll... I'd be more than happy to send you one! ,,0w0,,Anything else you'd like to share: I'd like to do more than just a sketch, if that'd be okies!~

Name (or nickname): Luxi HakalaAge: 19Location: ArgentinaArtistic medium of choice (digital, traditional, etc.): digital (with Paint Tool Sai, sometimes with Manga Studio too)I'm interested in sketching: any OC in anime style or anime characters (no mecha, gore or explicit yaoi, yuri or hentai)I'd like to receive a sketch of: one of my OC's :3 luxi-hakala.deviantart.com/art… (if late you want to draw it, I will send you more refferences)Interests/hobbies outside of art: music, I love to play piano and guitar...also, I like to watch anime and read manga I like cats (mostly of my OC's are human-cat hybrid xD), my favourites animes are Hetalia, Shingeki no Kyojin, Hoozuki no Reitetsu, Gugure! Kokkuri-san, Ao no Exorcist, Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou and Cuticle Tantei InabaAnything else you'd like to share: vee~ (=¬9

Name (or nickname): BecbeccsAge: 14Location: USAArtistic medium of choice (digital, traditional, etc.): traditional but if I'm working on digital though atm I'm mostly using lineart.I'm interested in sketching: Any type of animals whether it's fantasy or not as long as I have a referenceI'd like to receive a sketch of: My OCS Switz and/or my unnamed kitty catInterests/hobbies outside of art: Reading, writing, biking, bmx racing, just random activities, making shtuff, hanging out with friendsAnything else you'd like to share: I'm open to trying new things and I'd like to say that what's in my gallery isn't necessarily my best work because normally my friends ask for my stuff and I give it to them before I get the chance to post it.

Name (or nickname): JosephAge: ...Location: U.S.A.Artistic medium of choice: I mainly do traditional, but I'm trying to get back into digital art too.I'm interested in sketching: Just about anything that's human I'd like to receive a sketch of: One of my OC'sInterests/hobbies outside of art: Writing, psychology, anything strange or beautiful~

Name: GraceAge: 18Location: EnglandArtistic medium of choice: digitalI'm interested in sketching: with enough reference I can draw pretty much any characters... I can't draw animals or vehicles :/ and my style ranges from anime chibis to very realistic depending on my mood.I'd like to receive a sketch of: one of my many OC's, preferably my GOT OC... I haven't put any reference pictures up of her yet, but I will soon.Interests/hobbies outside of art: writing, costume design and jewelry making.

Name: Emma (Or E.T.)Age: Does it really matter?Location: Information I'd rather not shareArtistic medium of choice: TraditionalI'm interested in sketching: Any OC or character, Ponies, Creepypasta, Hetalia, And anything Minecraft. Nothing r34 related!I'd like to receive a sketch of: My pony OC missnunugirl.deviantart.com/ar… Or me (Manga style) I have a pic of myself up on my profile.

Name (or nickname): KediAge: 14Location: SwedenArtistic medium of choice (digital, traditional, etc.): Digital, also traditional pencil sketches!I'm interested in sketching: Close to anything! Can be very explicit or very cute or whatever (I'm comfortable with most stuff).I'd like to receive a sketch of: Steam Powered Giraffe, Yu-Gi-Oh! - Season 0, Duel Monsters or the abridged version of Duel Monsters (if you'd like to draw a ship, I'm into Puzzleshipping, Thiefshipping - abridged or not, Tendershipping, Bronzeshipping, Lampshipping and Psychoshipping), The Legend of Zelda (I've played or am currently playing Twilight Princess, A Link To The Past, Skyward Sword, Spirit Tracks, Wind Waker, Majora's Mask and Ocarina of Time, so fanart of any of those would be nice), Hellsing, Dragon Ball or Dragon Ball Z. References will be provided when you've told me what you want to draw. If there's something else you'd like to draw, tell me! I might like that idea more than my own. Interests/hobbies outside of art: Singing, acting, voice acting, reading, gaming, food, Tumblr and procrastinating.Anything else you'd like to share: The Brave Little Toaster is a good movie!

I usually aim for a week for myself, 2 if necessary, but there's really no deadline. I still haven't gotten all my return sketches from last year, but I don't mind.

I do have some questions about your OC, though. Just for context, what kind of creature is she? She resembles a harpy, but her race is listed as something else. Also, what kind of world does she live in?

I've done this before, but seein' that people are still doin' it... I'm willing to give this a go again, if someone's interested.

Name (or nickname): SketchAge: Not sharin' that today, sirs and madams! X3Location: United States (where exactly is for me to know and for you to not. XD)Artistic medium of choice (digital, traditional, etc.): Practicly anywhere my heart desires, so to speak, but I'm most comfortable with traditional, animation and digital.I'm interested in sketching: ANYTHING, really. I'm most skilled at Sonic, Klonoa, Pokemon, My Little Pony, Rayman and any animal, but I'll do anything that's thrown at me. I'd like to receive a sketch of: That... is an excellent question. XD Anything either within the fandoms listed above, any shipping type stuff (yes, I'mma shipper. Deal with it.) or anything that is doable by you. ^w^ Interests/hobbies outside of art: I do enjoy some sports like skiing, tennis and running, then I love to write, play the Wii or any other game consol, and Roleplay.Anything else you'd like to share: For the most part... Not exactly. I shared what I needed to share, so.... Eeyup.

Name (or nickname): ArtsAge: 17Location: NetherlandsArtistic medium of choice (digital, traditional, etc.): Digital or traditionalI'm interested in sketching: Anime/manga and chibi's (or something cute)I'd like to receive a sketch of: Anime/manga and chibi's (or something cute)Interests/hobbies outside of art: Anime/manga, chatting, listening to vocaloid, watching moviesAnything else you'd like to share: Being friendly and understanding can get you a long way, but sometimes you need to be crazy to get some good ideas.

Name (or nickname): SkyAge: 15Location: UK Artistic medium of choice digital or traditiornalI'm interested in sketching: ANIMALS!I'd like to receive a sketch of: ANIMALS!Interests/hobbies outside of art: Writing and horseridingAnything else you'd like to share: My fav animals are tigers and I have a Border Terrier dog called Jasper

Is this still alive? I hope this turns out to be an annual tradition because it was one of the most fun things I've ever participated in on DA! I still need to finish my last trade, though. It's so late!!!

I've already done this once, but I'm willing to do another, if anyone wants to exchange.Name: Call me Kit.Age: 19Location: Utah, USAArtistic Medium of Choice: Ordinary pencil, possible ink, unless coloring in which case I use either watercolors or Adobe PhotoshopI'm interested in sketching: almost anything, but preferably OC's or fan art of Doctor Who or Firefly or anything Disney.I'd like to receive: Surprise me! Contact me first and then we'll work it out.Interests outside of DA: I love to write-- that's what I want to do with my life! I also love music and singing and reading.Anything else: You are a wonderful person.